Tone-amplifying device for stringed musical instruments



M c 2 1931- M. L. UNGRICH 1,793,048

TONHAMRLIFYING DEVICE FOR STRINGED MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS Filed April 3, 1928 lNVENTOR wlmassgs @fi zj, if y/72% ATTORNEY ML I I W Patented Mar. 24, 1931 UNITED STATES MARTIN L. UNGRICH, 0F BROOKLYN, NEW YORK TONE-AMPLIFYING DEVICE FOR STRINGED MUSICAL INSTRUMENT Application filed April 3, 1928.

This invention relates to sound amplifiers, and has particular reference to an improved means for effecting the tone amplification of violins, cellos, violas or similar stringed in struments.

One of the outstanding objects of the present invention is to provlde an accessory for violins or other stringed instruments of this nature which functions to amplify the tones n while obtaining a fuller, richer and mellower quality.

More specifically, the invention con1pre hends, particularly in connection with violins, cellos or similar stringed instru- 1: ments, the employment of one or more amplifying elements disposed within the body and supported from the tail block to augment the tone Values produced by the instrument.

Other objects reside in the provision of an improve-d tone amplifying means for stringed instruments of the character set forth, which means is simple in construction,

inexpensive to produce and highly efficient in its purpose.

With the above recited and other objects in view, reference is bad to the following oescription and accompanying drawings, in which there is exhibited one example or embodiment of the invention, while the claims define the actual scope of the same.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a horizontal sectional plan view through the instrument body with the amplifying means arranged therein.

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional View therethrough taken approximately on the line 22 of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings by characters of reference, 10 designates generally the instrument body which includes the marginal wall 11 and the top and bottom walls 12 and 13. The amplifying means includes one or more bowl shaped elements 14 which are preferably in the nature of a segment of a hollow 43 sphere having the concave face 15 disposed Serial No. 267,010.

side of the instrument and gradually increas ing in the frequency of vibration to which they will respond toward the opposite side of the instrument. That is, the resonant element which would respond principally to the vibration of the bass string of the instrument would be disposed within the instrument body adjacent the side with which the bass string is associated; the resonant element which would mainly respond to the vibrations of the highest pitched string would be disposed within the instrument body adjacent the side with which the highest pitched string is associated; and between these extremes would be positioned one or more resonant elements which would respond principally to the vibrations of the intermediate-tone-giving strings. Thus it will be seen that any number of variously resonant elements may be used to respond to the tones of the strings or by combinations of adjoining variouslyresonant elements produce half-tone effects. In practice, each bowl element is provided with a shank 18 which extends radially therefrom and which is anchored in the tail block 19 which is usually provided within the rear of the body portion of the instrument. In use, the elements function to amplify the tones which are produced by the instrument and serve to produce a fuller, richer and mellower tone quality.

lVhat is claimed is:

1. The combination with a stringed instrument of a tone amplifying means including a plurality of bowl shaped elements of rela- 4. A tone amplifying means for yiolinsand I othersimilar stringed musical instruments including a bowl shaped element ofgradually decreasing thickness from the central portion to the marginal'edge.

.5. A tone ainpli-fierifor stringed musica instruments, including. a plurality of variously-resonant elements, saidelements being bowl shaped.

tone amplifier for stringed musical instruments, including a plurality of variously-resonant elements, said elements being bowl shaped, their thickness diminishing from center to peripheral edge.

7. The combination with a stringed musical instrument of a tone amplifier, including a plurality of variously-resonant elements, said elements being bowl shaped, their thickness diminishing from centerto peripheral edge, said elements being positioned adjacent the tail of the instrument.

8. The combination witha stringedinush cal instrument of a tone amplifienincluding a plurality of variously-resonant elements, said elements being bowl shaped, theirthicknessdiininishiiig from center to peripheral edge, said elements being positioned adjacent the lower end of the instrument and within the same, said elements being spaced apart each element being equidistant from the center of the instrumentend- 9. The combination of a stringed musical instrument and tone amplifying means therefor said means inclndin a luralit' of resonant bow'l shaped elements and a phi rality of shanks therefor, extending radially from the tail block of the instrument for supporting said resonant elements, each of said elementsbeing adapted for sympathetic vibration with certain of the strings of the i11 struinent.

10. The combination of a stringed musical instrument and toneam-plifying means therzifor, said means ncluding a plurality of resonant bowl-shaped elements and a plurality of shanks therefor, extending. radially from the tail block of the instrument for supporting said resonant elements, each ofsaid resonant elements differing from the othersin the vibratile frequencies to which it willrespond.

11. The combination of a stringed musical A nr-A. n. 1928.

instrument and tone amplifying means therefor, said means including a plurality of resonant bowl-shaped elements and a plurality of shanks therefor, extending radially from the tail block of the instrument for supporting said resonant elements, each of said resonant elements differing from the others in the Vibratile frequencies to which it will respond, each of said resonant elements being arranged adjacent the string with which it is in sympathy.

Signed at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, this 2nd day of MARTIN L. UNGRICH. 

